Chag Sameach

Tonight I walked through the Jewish quarter to the Western Wall. Around every corner was another family in their best dress walking to and from the Wall and their synagogues. At the Western Wall various groups were singing and marching together. A smile on every face indicated that this holiday is truly unlike the other holidays for it is a festival! On my way back I wandered through the Old City imagining the fathers on the other side of the house walls reading the Exodus story to their children - for it is actually a commandment to commemorate the Passover story. A boy about my age approached me and asked me if I would ring the doorbell to his dormitory since he is not allowed to push the button that ignites a flame of electricity in the switch on this joyful Shabbat. Even this was a reminder of the joyful peace that one has, the rest that God has granted to his people. As the families parted and walked to their homes they greeted each other with "Chag Sameach" - "Joyous festival."